It was not revealed how many episodes have been ordered, but considering seasons 3 and 4 have 16 episodes each, they will most likely continue that pattern. Scott Gimple is returning as showrunner, as well as executive producers Robert Kirkman, Gale Anne Hurd, David Alpert, Greg Nicoterno and Tom Luse.

"We are very happy to make what has to be one of the most anti-climactic renewal announcements ever: The Walking Dead is renewed for a fifth season," AMC President Charlie Collier said in a press release. "This is a show that has erased traditional distinctions between cable and broadcast. Its expanding base of passionate fans has grown every season, most recently -- and most notably -- with the season 4 premiere earlier this month, which broke records for the series and became the biggest non-sports telecast in cable history. On behalf of the incredible team on both sides of the camera, thank you to the fans and here's to more Dead."

The season 4 premiere ratings Collier mentioned are very impressive: 20.2 million viewers so far have tuned in to the opener of the hit AMC drama, and 12.3 million in the all-important 18-49 demographic, which as he said is a new record for any non-sports cable telecast. The networks would die (pardon the pun) for numbers like these, both in total viewers and in the demo.

And season 5 won't be the only continuation of The Walking Dead franchise. It was announced in September that Kirkman, Hurd and Alpert are developing a companion spin-off series with new storylines and characters. It is expected to premiere in 2015.